On the Path of Reforms: the German States in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century

Authors:

Pages: 337-356
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/BCNV6250

Abstract:

At the end of the 18th century, two revolutions took place in Europe: a political revolution was taking place in France, and an industrial revolution was progressing in England. Both had a huge impact on the subsequent history of the continent: the first with its socio-political changes, and the second with its economic ones. At the same time, the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation, as it was officially called the First German Empire from the 15th century, formally united hundreds of independent German state formations – kingdoms, principalities, duchies, counties, knightly domains, church estates, et cetera. This fragmentation is legitimized with over 1,800 customs borders within it. A century later, the German Empire, united under the leadership of Prussia, was already a leading European Great Power and an economic giant with claims to world domination. There are many reasons for this German “jump” in the 19th century, but the impetus was given by the creation of a consolidated customs area and the implementation of a series of political reforms. The consequences are not only in the economic, but also in the political and state realms.

Keywords:

Congress of Vienna; Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation; Prussia; Austria; German Confederation; Frederick-Wilhelm III; Napoleon I; German Customs Union; Reforms in Prussia; Industrial revolution; Austro-Prussian dualism.

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